Pollen and Seed Morphology of the Genus Hesperis L. (Brassicaceae) in Turkey

Abstract

Pollen and seed morphology were examined in 35 specimens representing 25 Turkish species of the taxonomically complex genus Hesperis L. by light and scanning electron microscopes. Three main types and 2 subtypes were recognized based on the seed coat surface, pollen shape, and exine sculpturing. The seed coat ornamentation of Type I was ocellate. and pollen shape was oblate-spheroidal, While Type II was represented by reticulate seed coat and prolate-spheroidal pollen shape, Type III had tuberculate seed coat. This study revealed that both palynological and seed morphological characters are of significant importance in the taxonomy of the genus.